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Monday, August 08, 2016

Drummer Kevin Bowers Set To Release Third Solo Album 'Nova'

Huffington Post premiered Ground Motion a chant song combining both Brazilian
and African drumming. According to Kevin, "There is no movement without
rhythm, and my intentions are to get people to move and make them feel more
alive.” The premiere is in advance of his 3rd solo album, Nova, out August 9th.
Check it out here.

Imagine a
movie starring Fred Astaire and Lena Horne, and directed by Federico Fellini.
In your mind’s ear, listen to the soundtrack, a mélange of Brazilian samba,
psychedelic rock, romantic compositions, and impressionistic lyrics. The music
perfectly captures the elegance, earthiness, and otherworldliness of the film.

Now, for a
reality check: the film was never made but if there was a movie, this would be
the soundtrack. When St. Louis-based drummer/composer, Kevin Bowers, went on a
deep and deepening trip through Spain, he also went on an epiphanic creative
journey. He’s returned with Nova (to be released August 9th) a tropical, trippy
and rocking album with a surprise smattering of Bosa Nova influenced by the
great Jorge Ben and Gilberto Gil.

“Brazilian
music is something I’ve always had a passion for,” Bowers confesses. “I studied
Brazilian drumming at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. I even had the
privilege of traveling to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil with some close friends to
soak up its culture. After a trip to Spain, I began writing the album. I was
heavily inspired, even hypnotized, by the music, people, art, and food of
Spain.”

Bowers is
one of St. Louis’ most respected drummers. He’s been featured in the iconic
publication Modern Drummer. Recently, his soul-punk band, The Feed, issued a
critically acclaimed album. To date, he’s released three vibrant solo albums.
His latest, Nova, gathers some of the finest rock, blues and jazz musicians
(and friends) in St. Louis. Together, they manage to croon like Tony Bennett,
pop like Sergio Mendes and vibrate like the Beatles at their most lysergic.

Nova’s
overarching concept is the adventures/misadventures of two globetrotting
characters. Though Bowers is a drummer by trade, he composed the music and
vocal melodies on the electric guitar. In addition to this loose-knit
narrative, Bowers was also inspired by other artists and movies. He cites a
cross-section of influences such as Gal Costa’s 1969 album, Tony Bennett’s The
Beat of My Heart, The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, short stories by Anton Chekhov,
and Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

Drumming
fans will feast on Bowers’ jaw-dropping exotic and virtuosic performances as a
solo performer and as an ensemble player. On Nova he makes use of several
Brazilian instruments, including surdo, repinique, tamborim, chocalhos
(Brazilian shakers), timbales, bongos, and congas, among percussion tools. “It
was a challenge performing all the percussion parts and making the songs sound
like there are 10 people playing together,” he confides.

Standout
songs on Nova include the sun-kissed bossa nova track “Two Vagabond Lovers,”
the invigoratingly percussive “Ground Motion,” and the imaginatively arranged
“Lady Day Fortune.” The album is bookended by an English and then a French
version of “Two Vagabond Lovers.” This track sets up the beginning of the story
which is sung by the first pair of male and female narrators. “Ground Motion”
is a euphoric chant song that highlights Bowers gifts for simple anthemic
melodies and ground-shaking percussion arrangements. Nova’s psychedelic side is
exemplified by “Lady Day Fortune” which opens with a majestic piano solo, then
slips into a moody pop track, before floating away with freak-out guitar
figures.

Bowers plans
to tour Nova with a white-gloved presentation like a supper club experience
with some playful surprises. For live performances, the band will vary in size
between a lush orchestral lineup and an intimate quartet. These shows will
feature the Nova album played in its entirety, along with some favorites from
Bowers’ back catalog. The record release party will be at Off Broadway in
Kevin’s hometown of St. Louis on August 11th.